Abortion Clinic

October 6, 1985

TORONTO — Dr. Henry Morgenthaler faces a new trial on abortion-related charges. The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned his 1984 acquittal, the fourth time this has happened to the operator of an abortion clinic in downtown Toronto. The decision also affects two of Morganthaler's colleagues and he plans to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. Abortions in Canada are legal only when performed at accredited hospitals with the approval of what is known as a therapeutic abortion committee which considers whether pregnancy endangers the woman's health. Ian Scott, Ontario's attorney general, said no attempt will be made to shut down Morgenthaler's clinic because he has not been convicted of a crime.